4 THE ROCK ISLAND ARGUS. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1912. THE ARGUS. PcMfahed Daily at 104 Second ave ftee. Reck Iilmnd. TIL (Entered at the poateflte m eeoond-claea matter.) teesj tota-d lain mt the BY THE J. W. POTTER CO. TaTHJfS Tea eBta per week, by ear W, to Reck Ulead, OentphUnU of delivery eerrlee should made te the circulation department, erhteJs eturuM aleo be notified la every taetaaee where It Is deelred ta bare paper eUsooattnaed. a eaniera here no aathartty la the premises. AD eemnanleatlona of ara naeatetlve aharaoter. political or religious, muat eve real name attached far publica tion. No eoefc artlotee will be prlcted ei hettttoua alaxatnrea. Telephones la all department: Cen tral Union. Weet US. 114i and till; Union Electric. CleS. Monday, November 25, 1912. :'Tba Ananias club hat not gained a member In a month. From now until spring tie Ameri can ben la non-supporting. Making a green orange a golden yel low by chemicals Is off color. Show yonr Thankavlng spirit this week by being thankful that you have a cbanoe to shop ecrly and get the choice of tbe holiday foods. Meanwhile, thinking about Thanks giving, please remember that Tbe Argus annual Good Fellow and Santa Claus Fund movement is coming along. , coal amounted to approximately 1,300,- In the claim of tbe International ; 003,000 short tons, of which the United Harvester .combine that it exists by States contributed 496,221,168 tons, or divine right and that providence backs ; 38.1 per rent. In the 12 years from monopoly, may come at last the ex-jl8S9, when the country first surpassed planatlon of one Theodore Roosevelt's j Great Britain, to 1911 the production stand at Armageddon battling for the of tbe United States bas increased near Lord, ly 100 per cent, while Great Britain 1 has increased its output about 25 per We sre told that turkey prices this et, from 246,500,155 short tons to year are higher thtm at any time since , 304,618.927 tons. The United States the war. First thing we know only j m 1911 produced over 60 per cent those who count .their fortunes in sev ' en figures will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving according to the ous'oms of the pilgrim fathers. Bill Fllnn, the Pennsylvania bOBS, who it will be remembered, was one of Roosevelt's angels in tbe battle for the Lord, Is going back Into the re publican party. Now Bill Is in danger of being transferred forthwith from the Onward Christian Soldier column to the Ananias dub. An Oakland. Cal., man ordered bis chauffeur to dump his $4,500 motor car off tbe ferry boat into San Fran cisco bay. The order was obeyed and then the Irate anti-motorist offered to pay expenses If tbe ferry company would ram tbe car deeper In the mud with a pile driver. It Is possible that this man was not as foolish as are some who mortgage their homes to keep up a car. Kansas manages to remain in the , llmellghr. Droughts and grasshoppers are opt of date, so are whiskers, and that prosperity talk of automobillng, bond owning farmers bas gotten to be a chestnut. Something new had to be unearthed, and here it is: Kansas bas more office-holding women than any other state in tbe union and is there fore entitled to particular considera tion at the hands of headline writers. THE VOTE IN THE COLLEGE. correspondent desires to know bow the electoral college stands on the presidency. Omitting California, II of whose 13 otes will probably be cast for Wilson, tbe college will vote aa follows: Woodrow Wilson 433 Theodore Roosevelt 77 William H. Taft 8 Mr. Taft carried Vermont and Utah, and Colonel Roosevelt gets his 77 votes In Washington, Michigan, South Dako ta, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. The rest of the country is for Wilson. TRAINING FILIPINOS. The Philippine government, through Its bureau of education, has taken an Important step in tbe industrial de velopment of the people of tbe islands. By establishing tbe school of house hold Industries at Manila, the govern ment hopes to Introduce into the homes several Industries which will add materially to the Income of thou sands of families. Several hundred women from all parts of the Philip pines receive Instruction in special In dustries at tbe school. After finishing the course they re turn to their native towns and teach other women to make at home things for which there is a market. Em broidery and lace making are receiv ing first attention, since the govern ment sees most direct commercial ad vantages In these two arts. - A GROWING GREAT MAN. William J. Bryan, in speaking re cently of the president-elect, said: "Governor Wilson has grown constant ly, and more than Justifies the expec tation of his friends." This Is a truth well and simply stat ed. Four years ago Governor Wilson was known by but comparatively few outside cf educational circles. Two years ago he became governor of New Jersey, and the record of his achieve ments In this office made him a nation al character to whom many eyes were turning. He was looked upon for lead ership within one year after bis inau guration. And be has continued to grow. His record as a candidate for xtominatioB in the primary campaign. during tbe convention at Baltimore, throughout the campaign for election L and since hla election to the presi dency, shows a constant growth that justifies the confidence of the people that be will make one of the best and most benefiolal chief magistrates this country has erer bad. Woodrow Wilson Is not a demonstra tive man. He does not pose, nor In any way eihibit egotism. He Is not an egotist, but a student trying to learn all that he should know, and deter mined to do all that be can to make this country batter as well as greater. As Mr. Bryan said, Woodrow Wilson Is "constantly growing." and It follows, of course, that be will "make good." He Is a growing great man. BOQl'ET FOR TAVENNER. LaFollett's Magazine, edited by L'nited States Senator Robert M. La Follette, republican, pays a line tri bute to Clyde H. Taveoner, congressman-elect from this district. Tbe edi torial Is one of the principal ones In tbe magazine and says: "Clyde H. Tavenner goes to con gress from the Fourteenth Illinois dis trict. Tavenner is a talented young p-.an and a progressive democrat. As a. newspaper correspondent at the na tional capital, be earned a reputation frr Integrity, Industry and insight Into the problems of government. Given the a e of two progressive candidates Represent them, the vot ers selected for Tavenner. We believe this confidence in Tavenner Is not mis placed. His past performances give aiisuranre of a creditable record in the bouse against privilege in all forms, hralnst machine domination, and for progressive principles." AMERICA LEADS IN COAU' Since 1899, when the United States supplanted Great Britain, this coun try has held first place among the coal producing countries of the world. In 1911 tbe total world's production of more than Great Britain. Germany's production of coal and ignite in 1899 was 149.719.766 short tons; m 1911 it was 258,223,763 tons, an increase of over 70 per cent. Tbe combined pro duction of Great Britain and Germany in 1911 was 562,742.690 short tons, which exceeded the output of the United States by only 66,521,622 tons, or 11.5 per cent. Tbe three countries, United States, Great Britain and Germany produce more than 80 per cent of the world's total supply of coal. THE GOVERNING FORCES AND THE CLEANSING EFFECT. If Rock Island is to have the full benefit of the cleansing effect. It must have the advantage of the governing force. It has been demonstrated re cently that Rock Island is in need of governing on the part of those entrust ed by the people with the responsibil ity of governing. Shlftlessness and in- difference and a disposition to shirk where matters of exceptional im portance command action lead in but one direction, and that is to ruin. No task can be accomplished by Ignoring it or running away from it The man who is paid a good salary for bis ser vices and gives bond for the faithful performance of his duty, betrays his trust when he neglects to meet re sponsibilities as they come up to him and fills to act honestly and accord ing to the best that is in him. The waterworks while it represents a valuation in dollars and cen's amounting to many thousands of the people's money, is not the only part of the municipal machinery that needs serious and constant attention. All that pertains to the people's welfare, whether In property or regulation; in condition or enforcement Is worthy the thought and action of tbe public officials. ' It has been contended, and rightly too, that next to pure air, pure water is of first Importance to the people of a community. Rock Island has spent thousands of dollars to insure pure water. Present Indications are that the commission has been brought to a realizing sense of its responsibility in dealing with the water supply. The city has provided tbe cleansing effect In the water supply. All that is nec essary is to have the method scientifi cally and completely applied. Pure sir as has been said. Is the first requisite to public health and happiness. It Is God's boon. But, contaminated, it remains for man to clarify It. The city has a great re sponsibility In this respect, and one by the way, that those entrusted with the governing cannot Ignore or evade. Nor can they shift this responsibility to the shoulders of the people. There are certain evils that come with city life and one of these Is un clean streets and alleys. The streets and alleys of Rock Island afford ex ample. Here, too the cleansing pro cess is essential. It Is essential not only to public comfort, but public health. Rock Island's streets and al lays are a disgrace, notwithstanding the exteut of public Improvement that has just been made. They are un- clean and the effect Is not only un sightly, exceedingly so, but unhealthy. Every wind that blows clouds the at mosphere with the deposits of filth which are wafted into the nostrils, the mouths and the lungs of the people and thus the germs of disease and contagion are sown as deeply as would be the seeds of typhoid through a neg lected water supply. For The Argus' own part, it Is Ik 'J I WMIATTIO ITS - jfrfrs Everyone may not learn to set a table artistically, but there are few who cannot learn to set It much bet ter than they do. It is called art by some and as such should be recog nized by everyone. It is not so much what Is put on the table In the form of dishes, linen and service, as how it is done. Un usual, faddish setting of the tabid should be avoided for the everyday or holiday meal unless it would be for such days as Hallowe'en. The setting of the table usually falls to the daughter of the bouse, if there Is one; If cot, the mother does It her self or directs bow it should be done If there Is a helper in the home. There is no place In the entire home which can show the individual artistic touch of mother or daughter as the table. and tnere are some absolutely nxea rules for the placing of most of the service. In the first place, linens should be amazed that, the business men whoee wares have been damaged by dust and dirt have not gone to the commission before this with' a vigorous protest against permitting the Tri-City Rail way company to cease the sprinkling operations during all these weeks that have passed. But while damage to the merchants Is one7 consideration it is Incomparable with the damage to public health. There Is Indeed need of the govern ing force and the cleansing effect in Rock Island's street and alleys. There is need of it before It Is too late, if serious damage has not already been done, for It is destructive, health de stroying and death-dealing. The com mission need not ask for the people's consent to dispose of a subject of such vital importance. It does not require a referendum vote to purchase a mod ern 11 usher or to adopt a system of constant sweeping and compel con stant sprinkling, especially In the business section. The commission has the power to provide for all emer gencies, and this is a dire emergency. And after the governing force and the cleansing effect Is applied to purl fled water and puifled air, then what? Then let it be applied to the moral situation. There, too Is occasion, and serious occasion, for the governing force and cleansing effect. The wip ing out of the black belt and the red light districts In Rock Island will pro duce a wholesome condition which with pure water and pure air will make Rock Island a city worth living In. There Is need of the governing force and the cleansing effect in all of these particulars, before tbe people will be Inclined to place the stamp of their O. K. on the commission form of mu nicipal government as applied to Rock Island. MANY WILSONS IN HALL OF FAME. While there have been red beaded Wilsons, black haired Wilsons, brown haired Wilson and Wilsons with very little hair on their heads in the United States ever since the Englishmen, Irishmen and Scotchmen began to supplant the copper colored savages, and they have filled all kinds of ot fces, to the president-elect has been reserved the distinction of having been the first of the clan to become a candidate for - the presidency. Henry Wilson of Massachusetts climbed up as high as the vice presi dency in 1872, and had he lived he might have been the successful dark horse at the republican national con vention in 1876, when Hayes won the prize the majority of the party would have preferred to see go to James G. Blaine. Henry Wilson was not a real Wil son. His right name was Jeremiah Colbath. He was adopted by a kind hearted man named Wilson and was thus given the opportunity of chang ing his label. Henry was no ordinary man, how ever. - He learned the trade of shoe- making, but soon became an active politician, and when 28 years old was a member of the legislature of the Bay state, tie afterwards owned a newspaper and was a brigadier gener al in the state militia. From 1855 to 1373 he was a member ot the United States senate. A Wilson who was big enough for presidential material was James Wil son, who was born In Scotland and came to this country long before the revolutionary war and was thus eligi ble to the chief magistracy under our constitution. He was a signer of the declaration of independence, a colonel In the continental army; helped frame the constitution of the United States and was father of tbe plan electing the president and vice president by electors. Washington appointed him ens of the first justices of tbe supreme court. Justice Wilson wrote many very able works on jurisprudence and political topics. Few will deny that William L. Wil son of West Virginia might, under favorable circumstances, develop into a promising presidential possibility, Like the next president, ho was at one time a college professor and also a lawyer. As anther of the Wilson tariff bill, or at least head of the ways and 4K- I 1 Z...SBLZ coNravcrtt - AHce, Citchea Kirk spotless and white and as fine as your style of living will warrant, the sim pler ones for everyday use and the finer ones for special occasion. They may be all this, but If not perfectly washed, the corners of cloth folded perfectly even, the very founda tion of the table setting will be a failure. Table decorations should not be too elaborate and always In keeping with the character of the day celebrated or the desired color scheme used. Thanks giving day colors are usually yellow to correspond with the pumpkins and chrysanthemum, which is the usual flower of the day. The soup plate is on a service plate. which is an eight or 10-inch plate. The soup spoon Is placed to the right of tbe knife, and teaspoon and the soup ladle to the rightST the soup spoon. Using left hand for removing cover of tureen, you are ready to take the ladle in right hand and serve soup. which may be passed to other members of tbe family at table. The water glass or goblet Bhould al ways be placed at end of knife blade. Tbe bread and butter plate Is on the left end of fork. The silver is always used from the outside toward the plate, either from right or left. Nap kins should always be placed on left side of fork. Twenty-four Inches is the usual space allowed for each cover or person. means committee when the measure was framed, he gained a place in the history of the country. It will be remembered that the Wilson bill was rebuilt to suit the protected Interests by the republican senators, assisted by several democratic senators, one of whom, James Smith, Jr., recently bad a disastrous encounter with Governor Wilson, who was thus Instrumental in avenging his clansman. President Cleveland made William L. Wilson his postmaster general during the latter days of bis administration. -Iowa, which for nearly 16 years has furnished a secretary of agrlulture lo the person of that tenacious old Scot, James Wilson, once had a senator who bore the name of Wilson and was a man of national reputation. His given name also was James, but it was separated from tbe family name by the letter F. The two Iowa Wilsons served la congress at tbe same time. James F. in a pinch might have started a presi dential bee buzzing without affronting the nation. A list of the Wilsons who have achieved more or less distinction in publio lift would fill a column, but most of them seem to have halted or been halted after serving in 'the house of represntatlves. Occasionally some representative of the family has be come a senator or a governor, but there is a prepondenance of evidence In favor of the theory that the Wil sons are a modest race. One of the Wilsons who gained a world-wide reputation was Alexander, the American ornlathologlst He be longed to the Scottish branch of tbe family and lived only 19 years in the United States previous to his death in 1813. A self-made man, he became one of the greatest naturalists of his time. , Another Scottish-American Wilson who has gained celebrity is General James Grant Wilson of New York. At the age of 80 he is an occasional contributor to magazines. General Wil son founded a literary journal in Chi cago in 1855. He rose to the rank of brigadier general in the union army during the civil war and has written many biographical works. General James Harrison Wilson al so gained the rank of brigadier gener al in the union army. He was a native ot Illinois. The only American Inventor who bore this cognomen and has gained a place In the gallery of fame is James Francis Wilson, He was a Massachu setts man and left Brown university 1250,000. Francis Wilson maintains the repu tation of the family In theatrical cir cles. Not only Is Francis an actor of renown, but he is also an author of ability and a collector of books. Among the Wilson who are likely to be separated from their positions because of the result of the election id Henry Lane Wilson, minister to Mexico. He is a Hoosler and has been an editor and lawyer, and since 1897 diplomat. A foray Into the list of financiers, manufacturers and big business men of the country reveals many evidences mat me wiisons generally are a thrifty race, endowed with a keen scent when trailing the dollar. The professions, too, seem to be attractive to men of this family, for they are well represented in the pulpit, at the bar and among the physicians. Galena, 111. Mrs. Olive E. Williams, aged 40, died after drinking the con tents of one ounce vial, which she took to produce a hypnotic condition. Dover, Del. Articles of Incorpora tion were filed here for the Little Rock Gas and Fuel company of Chi cago, 111., to produce or in any man ner acquire, sell and dispose of gas, both natural and artificial, and to dis tribute the same. Incorporators, Paul A. Neuffer, Harry H. Phillips, Charles J. Horn, Burrell J. Cramer, all of Chicago, 111.; William J. Maloney Wilmington, Del. Capital stock. Si,- 600,000. V T !.-- Terre Haute, Ind. George Sage, a retired business man of this city, kill ed bis wife by cutting her throat with a butcher knife and then attempted suicide with the same weapon. He will Idle. His health was poor. Humor and Philosophy V SVrCAJV M. SMtTW PERT PARAGRAPHS. rpHE length of time a cook stays la a family sometimes depends upon bow interesting the family conversa tions are. A nil cam always run a booeehold better than a woman can. Still, he doesn't. We miss a lot of fan by bete- afraid of appearing ridiculous. Do the best yon can and doat worry for fear It will' be toe good. The worst thing about doing as you please to that yem are ao apt sot to like It whea ft is done. There are women who ean keep busy worrying over what they didn't do yes terday and fretting over what they want to do tomorrow. Funny that a bey will tell his sister an about his love affairs, while a girl always tells another girL Divorces ought te come along with tbe titles that American men of money buy for their ambitions daughters. Anybody can tell tbe truth, bat it takes a person of Imagination to be a good liar. PoeetbttKtee. If yea cannot in a fortune That vSl feather well your neet You at least caa earn a living- If yeu work your level beat. If you cannot make a million Where the Maheet stakes are played You can knock out several dollars Worktnc daily at your trade. What's the uae of bavin money That yon never hope to spendt It will only bring you trouble. It la not yonr trueet friend. It you aettle with the arooer And ean pay the butcher's soar, -With a little left for pleasure. What can any one do more? , For the man who has a mtnioa. Only has one pair of eyes To behold the wondroua plctv re As old earth before him lies. Ee can only eat one breakfast. Only occupy one bed. Only wear one pair of slippers. Have but eoe hat on his head. If you cannot own an auto That will travel double quick You can stroU alone the highway Where the autumn leaves are thick. And, whatever la yonr station. In whatever niche yon fit. You can have a lot of pleasure If you make the best of It. 8e Enthueiaetio. MI am Just crazy about baseball." said the bright young girl to the ath letic appearing young fellow. "How Interesting!" "Oh, I dote on it I wish I could see a game this afternoon." "But the season la over.' "Oh, Is itr "Perhaps yon mean football." "Maybe. It Is one or the other, I forget which. Economical. "Wonder why the Blacks moved into a house this winter." "To save gym fees." "How is thatr "They figure Tommy can develop his muscle Just as well carrying out ashes and shoveling snew as he can la a gymnasium." Explained. "He Is a popular young man." "Rlchr "No." "How do yon account for his popu larity r "He's a splendid liar With a good memory.'' at Spectaoular. "I think that Professor Bevy weyte Is such an amusing speak er." "AmuslngT" "Yes." T thought be lectured upon se rious subjects only." "Yes, I. know, but I do love to see his features waits all over hi face." Shocking Extravagance. "Too bad about Clare." "What Isr "There'll soon be nothing left of her.1! "Is she Uir "No. but she's always giving herself away." Tee Bad, "Doesn't she bare stunning things?" "Who?" "That Mrs. Dowdy." "Yes. And wbat a pity it Is that she doesn't hire a rigbt kind of woman to wear them for ber." In Retrospect. We kick about the modern days And put them on the rack. But theoe will be the food old times When we are loeklac back. Her Beautiful7 Hair. "May belle, your girl friend has beau tiful hair." "It will pass, Tom." "Why do yon girls bate to admit that another girl bas fine points T "In that case It wouldn't do to ap pear too enthusiastic. I lent her that hair." Kansas City Journal. MP TTie Argus The Best Present By Clarissa Mackie, " ' Copyrighted. II IX. ny Associated Literary Bureau. When Silas Hegg told his pretty daughter Frances that she could not marry tbe young minister because min isters were proverbially as poor as church mice and always remained so, Frances merely nodded her sunny head and said. "Yes. father," In the obedi ent manner she had been taught If she grew silent and sorrowful looking after that and was the first ene to slip out 6f church and prayer meeting when the services were concluded. It was universally acknowledged to be Just tbe right thing for Frances to do under the circumstances. Of course everybody In Little River knew about the minister's unsuccess ful wooing; of Frances Hegg. His at tentions had been marked enough be fore Silas Hegg put down bis No. 9 boot snd declared a. veto on the matri monial question. After that it was an opes secret that tbe reason Frank Bradberry looked so grave and seem ed so silent and preoccupied was be muse Silks bad said "No." Perhaps it was loquacious Mrs. Hegg who con fided the secret to ber nearest friend. Certainly it was neither France nor her unfortunate lover. As long aa Frank remained In Little River there was hope that Silas Hegg might relent and perhaps that was why Frances did not succumb to her beartslckness. But when six months had passed there was one dark Sun day morning when be arose and read bis resignation to tbe disappointed con gregation. Several deacons turned and looked open disapproval at Silas Hegg as the author of this change, but when they saw how white Frances' face was and how startled she was by the an nouncement they turned face about again, not neglecting te deliver a last blighting glance at Silas Hegg. Much Silas cared about their glances, friendly or otherwise. He was suffi cient unto himself. The mere fact that he did a thing made it rigbt in his own eyes. So Frank Bradberry went away to a distant state and tried to forget Fran ces Hegg. It Is needless to relate that be succeeded no better than does any one else under such circumstances. Forgetfulness does not come at com mand or by choice. As for Frances, she continued to be a pale, quiet girl thereafter, quite un like the flushed and sparkling maiden who had won the love of Frank Brad berry. A number of things may happen within the space of four years. Among other events in Little River Silas Hegg lost his wife, and, strange to say. the man who was sufficient unto himself found that his main prop in life was gone. tie immcd-'ateiy Decame a broken old man, denndlng upon his only daughter for sympathy In their double sorrow. Another thing that happened was the return of Frank Bradberry to the church in Little River. Tbe persistent rail of his former parishioners was at last answered by bis return. There was much rejoicing in Little River, and many social events were planned in his honor. His return was shortly before Christmas, and a Christmas party, each attendant to bring a gift, was planned, to take place at the parsonage, where Ann Dibble, an ancient spinster, was await ing his arrival. Ann was to be his housekeeper nntll Little River folks stopped when they got that far and laughed suggestively. It was expected that the Rev. Mr. Bradberry would not be long in choosing a wife to pre side over the pretty new parsonage which bad been built during his ab sence in the west No one seemed to think about Fran ces Hegg. She bad developed Into such a pale nonentity, and there were other and younger girls from whom be might choose, some ot them blooming and beautiful. The minister was to arrive on tbe morning before Christinas, and tbe gift party was planned for that even ing In the nature of a complete sur prise. Of course Ann Dibble must know about.lt In order to keep tbe minister within doors and have a good, hot fire ready. , "You can count on him not going out tonight" assured Ann Dibble to anxious members of tbo committee. "He'll stay put In this bouse If I have to nail bis coattalls to his chair!" Fortunately such drastic measures were not necessary, for tbe very act of returning to Little River had brought up so many unpleasant memories that Frank Bradberry was thankful for a few uninterrupted bours io bis little study. He was dreading tbe meeting with Frances Hegg; be was distressed because he had not overcome bis love for ber wben be bad prayed unceasing ly to be delivered of Its torments. At tbe supper tsble Ann Dibble chat tered incessaotly of events that bad transpired in Little River during his absence. Thus Frank learned of Mrs Hegg's death along with other items of news. ne wondered If tbe loss of his wife" had softened tbe bard heart of Silas Hegg. tie was to learn that fact this very night. From tbe standpoint of a complete surprise tbe Christmas gift party was a success all tbe parishioners, came laden with eatables of every descrip tion and seme brought substantial sums of money as a contribution to their favorite minister. Even people from other churches In tbe village came and brought a gift for Frank Bradberry was well liked all over.. It was very pleasant to be so well remembered, to be so heartily greeted, to realize that he was really beloted by these people. And yet as be stood there among the' familiar faces, tbere was an aching tug at tbe minister's heart He was longing for a sight of Frances' fair, sweet face, and yet be e Daily - Story knew she would not be tbere. If his instinct bad warned him thus, a con versation be had overheard only em phasized that knowledge. "Have the Hecgs come?" Ann Dib ble bad asked Mrs. Deacon Fremont In a stage whisper. "Laws. no. Ann! I don't expect they will, either," returned Mrs. Fremont "Why not? Silas always brought something at donation parties, ne sent five bushels of potaters to tbe last one we had." "He won't now. Ann." satd Mrs. Fre mont lowering her voice, "because ta called tbere and Silas said he wouldn't send a potater." "Maybe he'll send something else. Potatoes ain't been very good this year anyway," retorted the optimistic Ann. "Maybe he won't I should think you'd remember another reason than that" Mrs. Fremont spoke mysteri ously. "Oh. I see! Well, I would be sur prised If tbey did come, but I should have thought Silas would have sent something." "He's getting queer since Martha died." "Getting queer?" sniffed Ann Dibble. "He's always been as queer as 'Dick's hatband!' Tbey say he's acted more human since she died." "He wasn't never real cruel. Ann. He was only severe. I expect he only thought be was doing tbe best by Fran ces when" "Good land!" Ann Dibble Jumped nervously as the minister's tall form brushed past them with a hurried apol ogy. "Was that him standing tbere back of us 7" "It must have been," acknowledged the chagrined Mrs. Fremont. "Some how I got tbe notion it was foolish Peter Wood." "I hope be won't take no offense at ; wbat we said." worried Ana Dibble. "'Twan't anything bad," she added j hopefully. "Folks have got to talk about Silas Hegg once In awhile." "And Frances, too," reminded Mrs. Fremont in self extenuation of her mention of the girl's name. Contrary to everybody's expectations, Silas Hegg did appear at the Christ mas party. He came all alone, and he did not go at .once to the minister and offer his greetings. Instead be lin gered as loag as possible, chatting here nnd there in a subdued sort of way, quite different from bis former aggres sive attitude. The young minister saw him in the distance, and his heart con tracted with pain. He wondered If Frances had come. too. and be found himself peering over the heads of the people for a glimpse of the girl's fair face. It was not to be seen. Then Jealousy smote him. ne won dered If Frances Heps had grown tired of-waiting for bim. . He wondered if somebody else had succeeded him In her affections and then be scored him self severely for doubting ber at all. At last Silas Hegg met him face to face and could no longer avoid Speak ing to him. Frank Bradberry's face was grave and pale as be shook bauds with the big farmer, and he felt a pang of sympathy at tbe man's great grief over the loss of bis wife. Martha. "Somehow since Martha died I've learned lots of things, Mr. Bradberry ." Bald Silas meekly. "I used to think that money was everything, but I've found it aiu't. I've found I'm a pretty unhappy man without my wife, even if I've got a comfortable balance in the bank." The minister did not find it difficult to speak words of comfort to Frances stricken father. When they parted a new understanding had sprung up be tween them. "I ain't brought a gift with me. Mr. Bradberry." said Silas as he turned away to permit some of the company to take their farewells of the minister, for tbe hour was late, "but I'm going to stay awhile, and maybe you'll walk over to my bouse and get it" "Certainly," said the clergyman, thinking of a basket of choice applts or grapes, of which fruits Silas had been very liberal before the courtship of Frances really began. , Tbere were many backward glances and covert -whispers after tbe prayer was over and tbe company went home. "Silas Hegg's tbe last one there!" "I wonder what's up?" That was tbe burden of the remarks.1 . The minister and Silas walked si lently across tbe fields, taking the short cut to tbe Hegg farm. A light was burning In the sitting room as tbey mounted the steps of the porch, and tbe minister found himself shak ing as with a chill. Silas opened tbe door and entered. Frances, pale and sweet as ever b hud seen her In bis dreams, arose f roi . a low chair, h tart led and wide eyed m sight of her lover. She swayed a little and ber father stepped forward and suported her la bis stronsr arms. "Mr. Brndberry." be said brokenly, "here's my Christmas gift to you. Take my daughter." and as be gave Frances Into tbe minister's willing arms Hllas Hepit's eye were full of tears. Nov. 25 in American History. 178S Evacuation of New York dry by tbe British, the last position held by them in the colonies. ISCi Conspirators from Canada at tempted to burn the principal hotels in New York city. Battle of Mis- -slon Ridge. Tenn., resulted in tbo defeat of the Confederate siege of ' Chattanooga, a decisive event In the war. 1885 Thomas A. Hendricks, vice pres ident of the United States under Cleveland, died; born 1S19. 1002 Colonel Thomas P. OThlitree, : noted Texan wit, died; born lS-lOt